Saint Francis F rancis Xavier CATHOLIC CHURCH
Contents: 2 Living Lent in 2021 3 Let’s Have a Great
February and a LifeChanging Lent
4 The Spanish Choir:
Sharing God’s Truth, Beauty and Goodness
6 Celebrating the
Miracle of St. Blaise Feast Day, Feb. 3
7 Christian Catholic
Outreach: Formed As Missionary Disciples
Embracing Opportunities to Grow in Faith This Lent
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ach year seems to go by faster and faster. Before we know it, Lent is over and Easter has arrived. We don’t want this time to sneak up on us this year — after all, as Pope Francis has pointed out, Lent is an important time for renewal in our faith. In his message for Lent 2018, the Holy Father told us, “In our preparation for Easter, God, in His providence, offers us each year the season of Lent as a sacramental sign of our conversion. Lent summons us, and enables us to come back to the Lord wholeheartedly and in every aspect of our life.” With the COVID-19 precautions in place, Lent activities could look different this year and may have to be adjusted throughout, says Fr. O’Brien. But this Lent, especially, can be a time of conversion, personal prayer, and penance. Lent will kick off with the Parish Mission at 7 p.m. on Feb. 14, and continuing on Feb. 15 and 16. We are blessed to be led by Fr. John Lanzrath of the Diocese of Wichita. He will discuss “Encountering the Lord in the Season of Lent.” Ash Wednesday, which falls this year on Feb. 17, is Fr. O’Brien’s favorite part of Lent. continued on page 5
FEBRUARY 2021
Saint
Francis Xavier CATHOLIC CHURCH
Living Lent in 2021
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uring the 40 days that Jesus spent fasting and praying in the desert, Satan was constantly tempting Him. He preyed on Jesus’ humanity, trying desperately to get Him to test God. Of course, we all know that it didn’t work. As Jesus is 100 percent God at the same time that He is 100 percent man, the devil was unable to take hold of Him. Yet, the story of Jesus’ temptation in the desert communicates an all-important truth to us. Jesus, the God-man, experienced everything we have and everything we ever will as human beings. Satan tried to tempt Him, just as he tempts us every day. But because Jesus is God at the same time that He is human, He had no tendency to give in to Satan’s attempts. Even so, Christ fought Satan tooth and nail, putting him in his place — “Get away, Satan! It is written, ‘The Lord, your God, shall you worship, and Him alone shall you serve’” (Matthew 4:10). At that, the devil left Him. We all find ourselves in similar situations. We live in a world wrought with sin, and, in his ever-so-cunning way, Satan makes the sinful look appealing. We must stand firm in our faith and tell Satan to “get away,” just as Jesus did. 2
Only then will we truly experience the glory of the salvation that Christ came to give. Lent offers us a particular time to fight Satan, taking courage in the resurrection that we are preparing to celebrate. It is a time that we spend focused on strengthening our relationships with the Lord. Armed with His power, that we receive in many different ways, we can resist the temptations of the devil and accept the salvation Christ offers each one of us. How can we do this? Get to know the Lord through prayer. Read the Scriptures often. St. Jerome tells us that ignorance of Scripture is ignorance of Christ. So, we must be steeped in Scripture. Read it daily — chapter by chapter, or verse by verse. It is, after all, the Word of God! Draw close to the Blessed Mother — she is eager to bring us to her Son. Join her at the cross, where she witnessed her most precious Son die for each one of us. Pray the Rosary — individually and as a family. It is a powerful prayer through which, with Mary, we walk through Christ’s life, His death, and His resurrection. Unite with Christ Himself in His suffering. Let us focus on the spirit of the season. We are to be preparing ourselves, just as Christ did, for the great event that won for us salvation!
A LETTER FROM OUR PASTOR
Let’s Have a Great February and a Life-Changing Lent Dear Parishioners,
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ebruary is here and Lent is right around the corner. Wednesday, Feb. 17, begins this holy season where we are each encouraged to pray, fast, and give alms as a means to our own conversion. We all need conversion and this season is a beautiful opportunity for you and your family. This Lent will look a little different with COVID restrictions still in place, so I encourage everyone to continue to be cautious if you’re taking advantage of our opportunities. The best thing you can do during Lent is to go to Confession and come to Mass. These ought to be the foundation of a good Lent, and we will continue to offer both daily and Sunday Masses and abundant Confession opportunities. Check the website and our social media for these many opportunities. We will also be praying the Stations of the Cross each Friday of Lent. We’re kicking off Lent with our parish mission with Fr. John Lanzrath — he was highlighted in our January newsletter. Small groups are an important way we can come to know the Lord Jesus, meet other parishioners, and “shrink” our growing parish. We want to shrink it in the sense of making it seem smaller but giving everyone an opportunity to be
in a small group. To facilitate an encounter with the Lord Jesus, we’re using the Catholic Christian Outreach (CCO) Faith Study Series that focuses on our Encounter, Grow, Go model of discipleship and evangelization. Please contact Stacy Humbert about joining a CCO group. Finally, we want to highlight a ministry that most of the parish never sees (or hears) and it’s the Spanish Mass Choir. Led by Matt Cabeen and Kevin Larios, this wonderful ensemble brings glory to God with Spanish-language music for our Sunday Spanish Mass and other occasions. They practice weekly and are incredibly dedicated to the task of sacred music. All are welcome at the 1 p.m. Sunday Spanish Mass. If you’re not a Spanish speaker, we can provide a guide to help you follow along. Let’s have a great February and a life-changing Lent! In Christ,
Rev. Brian O’Brien Pastor, St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church
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The Spanis Sharing God’s Truth,
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hen our Spanish Choir sings, they do more than just offer music. They bring hearts to love Our Lord, and minds to comprehend the marvels of Catholicism. “There are three pillars of evangelization — truth, beauty, and goodness,” says St. Francis Xavier Choir Director Matthew Cabeen, who sings and conducts for the Spanish Choir. “Today, people have a hard time identifying truth and goodness, so we want to lead them with beauty. We want to let people see and hear beautiful things when they come to Mass. Beautiful music can help draw them in and soften their hearts, so they can see the beauty of our faith.” Time and time again, the music they bring to us sheds light on what we believe as Catholics. “Music allows you to remember things better, so it helps when musical lyrics are true and include doctrine,” Matthew says. “This helps get the truth out! The Spanish Choir sings for the Spanish Mass at 1 p.m. on Sundays, as well as for special occasions and large Catholic celebrations. At times, the Spanish Choir joins other choirs to provide bilingual music when the Spanish and English-speaking communities have Mass together. “The members of the Spanish Choir are extremely dedicated,” Matthew says. Most importantly, the Spanish Choir members help our parishioners embrace a prayerful disposition during Mass, and glorify God wholeheartedly with their voices. The Spanish Choir rehearsals take place various times one evening per week and are run by Kevin Larios. “The Church specifies that we should have music on Sundays in order to provide a full liturgical celebration,” Matthew says. “Music is really a form of prayer and it brings honor to God. It unifies people and brings them together. It is not a performance ensemble and shouldn’t be seen that way. As a choir, our job is to facilitate the music and make it easier for others to participate fully in the liturgy.” Recently, the choir has been encouraging the congregation to sing in a refreshing way. “We are trying to help our parishioners learn the music by heart, using repetition,” Matthew says. “We have been singing the same set of hymns for several weeks in a row so they get to know them very well, even if they can’t read music.” 4
Marcela Perez greets the parish.
Brennan Lacy plays the piano.
Dr. Howard Potter plays the marimba.
Kevin Larios plays the organ.
sh Choir: Beauty and Goodness They are also happy to give others the opportunity to bless our parish family with the gift of music. “We are a small group, but we would really like to grow,” Matthew says. “We are beginning a concerted effort to recruit more Spanish Choir members. We want to get more people in the loft! And we want them to know Perez sisters Maritza, Marcela, that they won’t ever have to sing alone. Luz (in foreground) and Linda Taylor (in background) share No one ever has to sing a solo — we their vocal talents with God sing in unison together.”
For more information on how to join the Spanish Choir, email Matthew Cabeen at matthew.cabeen@gmail.com or call him at 405-338-9708.
and our parish.
Opportunities to Grow in Faith This Lent “It gets Lent off to a great start with the receiving of ashes and the stark reality that we are sinners in need of a savior,” he says. One common Lenten practice is to give something up, whether that be candy, coffee, or buying lunch. Fr. O’Brien says this is a way to help us realize that all we need is God. The church also directs Catholics to practice prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. “We are too attached to the things of this world and not dependent enough on the God who loves us,” Fr. O’Brien says. There will also be ample opportunities for Reconciliation throughout the Lenten season. Fr. O’Brien is thankful Mass can continue this Lent since churches were closed throughout much of Lent 2020. He is also thankful so many people have returned to Mass. “Lent 2020 was rough,” he says. “Celebrating the last half of Lent, Holy Week, and most of
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Easter with no one in the church is something we never want to do again.” In addition to considering the practice of giving something up. Fr. O’Brien also invites parishioners to check out the parish library for great books to read during Lent. He asks everyone to take extra time to pray and for parents to “take the reins in building a domestic church in their home.” “The best way to get ready for Easter is to take Lent seriously,” Fr. O’Brien says. Although we aren’t able to gather for any Lenten meals due to COVID-19 restrictions, Fr. O’Brien implores us to use this Lent as a time of conversion and an opportunity to grow closer to the Lord. “When we encounter Jesus Christ, His light changes us,” he says. “It’s only when we encounter Jesus that we can then grow with Him and then share His love with the world. Lent is one more step in His direction.”
Please stay tuned to Flocknote and our parish website, sfxstillwater.org, for information on Lenten activities and events in our parish community. 5
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Celebrating the Miracle of St. Blaise Feast Day, Feb. 3
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his month, we reflect on the life of St. Blaise, bishop and martyr, who is one of the “Fourteen Holy Helpers” — a group of Catholic saints whose intercession is believed to be effective against diseases. Every year on Feb. 3, we celebrate the feast day of St. Blaise, during which parishes around the world bless the throats of the faithful. So, as we continue to navigate the ongoing challenges brought forth by the COVID-19 pandemic, we may look toward St. Blaise’s example and pray for his intercession during these difficult times. Though we do not know much about the life of St. Blaise, tradition tells us that he was born to wealthy, saintly Catholic parents. Born in Armenia, he devoted his life to medicine and helping the sick. He was a physician, until he was begged by the people to become their bishop. He was appointed by the Church as bishop of the Diocese of Sebaste. Around the year 313, when the Roman Emperor Licinius was persecuting the Church, Blaise lived as a hermit in the woods among animals that he befriended. One day, a group of hunters found Blaise and seized him. Upon their trip to the governor, they encountered 6
a woman whose pig was being attacked by a wolf. Blaise commanded the wolf to leave the pig alone and, upon his command, the pig was freed unharmed. Blaise was then taken to prison, where he miraculously healed a boy who was choking to death on a fishbone. While Blaise remained in prison, the woman whose pig he had freed brought him two candles to serve as his light so that he could read the Scripture. It was from the miracle of saving the choking boy that the custom of praying to St. Blaise to cure all ailments of the throat was born. And, so, after still refusing to recant his Christian beliefs, he was suspended from a tree and his flesh was torn with iron combs or rakes. Blaise was then thrown into a lake to drown. To the surprise of his persecutors, he surfaced and walked upon the water, and he invited his persecutors to join him. They should do this, he said, to show the power of their gods. The pagans took him up on his invitation, and ultimately they were drowned. Blaise was then told by an angel to return
to dry land to receive martyrdom. He was beheaded on the shore and immediately went to heaven. Because of his prison experience and his great reputation as a healer, St. Blaise’s intercession is invoked for the healing of diseases affecting the throat. The candles that the clergy place upon our throats while blessing them symbolize the candles that enlightened St. Blaise’s cell as he studied Sacred Scripture — connecting his spiritual life to the physical healing. Let us remember to invoke the intercession of this great healer upon any ailments that might be affecting us, either physical or spiritual — especially those pertaining to the throat. The blessing of the throats is done by the priest holding two blessed candles near the throat in the form of a cross. The priest says, “Through the merits and intercession of St. Blaise, bishop and martyr, may God deliver thee from all diseases of the throat, and preserve thee from every other evil. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.”
Christian Catholic Outreach: Formed As Missionary Disciples
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vangelization is a word we hear all the time. It’s also a key part of our parish mission and an idea that often inspires and excites us. But, as with many things, it can sometimes be a challenge to translate our enthusiasm into action. Even if we understand the “what” of evangelization, it can sometimes be hard to know the “how.” With that in mind, we look forward to launching a new opportunity for people to be renewed in the foundations of the faith and prepared to share those truths with others, through our Catholic Christian Outreach small groups, or CCO. “The mission of CCO is proclaiming the Gospel, equipping disciples to share the Gospel, and commissioning those disciples to go,” says Stacy Humbert, Director of Evangelization and Mission. “It fits really well with our ‘Encounter, Grow, Go’ mission that we have here at the parish.” The in-depth faith study series includes five books that are completed in a smallgroup setting over the course of six months. “The ultimate goal of it is to form missionary disciples,” Stacy says. “It could be for those who are newer to the Church, or if somebody grew up surrounded by faith, but did not purposely say, ‘Yes, Jesus, I center my life on You, I choose to follow You’ — this provides an opportunity.” The series brings people from the foundational questions of “Who is Jesus?” and “What does He offer?” to “What does it look like to live as a disciple?” and “How are we called to share our faith, as missionary disciples?” One of the things that sets CCO small groups apart from other Bible
studies, prayer groups, or small faith-sharing groups is that the groups are primarily designed to engage people on a heart level, and not just intellectually. “This is an opportunity for adults to make a personal ratification of faith, stirring up the Holy Spirit, Who is already present in their lives, animating their journey with Jesus,” Stacy says. Several pilot groups began last year and are now entering the phase where those who participated will have the opportunity to walk alongside others in their journey of faith. A key part of this ministry is not only going deeper in your own faith, but also being empowered to help others along their journey — both other parishioners, as well as the broader community, and eventually, all of Payne County. Upon completion of the series, those who participate in the groups are encouraged to consider leading a group for other parishioners, as well. “If we’re really going to evangelize Payne County, spiritual multiplication is essential,” Stacy says. “That’s our mission and vision — CCO intentionally does that.” So, who can benefit from joining a CCO small group? “The person that would benefit from CCO small groups is first and foremost, somebody who is seeking to follow Jesus, asking, ‘What does it mean to live as a disciple today?’” Stacy says. “Also, somebody who truly is seeking community — true, authentic friendships, people who are on the same journey and have the same goal, and continued on back cover
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Saint
Francis Xavier CATHOLIC CHURCH
St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church 711 N. Country Club Rd • Stillwater, OK 74075 Web: www.SFXStillwater.org Phone: (405) 372-6886
Christian Catholic Outreach continued from page 7 finally, people asking ‘How do I evangelize in the world today?’ This series equips you to evangelize.” Stacy hopes that parishioners will consider taking advantage of this new opportunity to truly embrace the heart of our parish mission, learning and living the heart of missionary discipleship. “Missionary discipleship is one disciple walking with another disciple,” Stacy says. “Jesus says, ‘I have come to set the earth on fire,’ and my ultimate vision that we will have people on fire for Jesus. I know what it feels like to have this relationship with Him — and I want everyone to experience it. “That’s the big vision, to have this core group of on-fire disciples who can’t help but go out and proclaim, in a loving way, how much fullness and life is offered through Jesus and our Church,” she adds. “As a disciple, we’re never sitting still, we’re never done on this journey. We’re always called deeper and CCO is a part of that spiritual movement.”
For more information on Catholic Christian Outreach (CCO) small groups, please contact Director of Evangelization and Mission Stacy Humbert at stacy@sfxstillwater.org or 405-372-6886.
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